1. American University of Nigeria And the Adamawa Peace Initiative International Conference on Peace and Development June 10-13th, 2014

2. The Role of Religion: Panelists
Bishop Makanto
Imam Dauda Bello
Hamidu Arabo
Imam Muhammad Ashafa
Pastor James Movel-Wuye

3. The Role of Religion: Questions
Is religion being used in some parts of Nigeria to promote conflict? All panelists answered yes.
How can religious leaders ensure their communities are based on understanding and tolerance?
----- Meeting Notes (6/12/14 09:59) -----
Religion used in parts of Nigeria to promote conflict?
- Some politicians, criminals and religious leaders manipulate religion to promote conflict and achieve personal interests.
- Media played a role in aligning muslims
- Muslims are now tagged terrorists by Media
- Islamic terrorists by Media
- Media has also been misused and abused
- Islam promotes inclusiveness
- Exclusivisim is not a part of Islam -
North wasn't comfortable with spread of christian faith.
- War between North and South
- Christian charismatic movement threatened the methodology of evangilisation
- Religious leaders pronounced superiority of their own religion
- Boko Haram began as a result of:
- Ignorance
- Greed
- Poverty
- Extremists hijack religion
- Do no harm to others
- Respect and live safely with your neighbour
How can religious leaders ensure their communities are based on understanding and tolerance?
- Improve capabilities of religious leaders
- Need to promote culture and dialogue between religions
- We should not popularize extremists
- Build a culture of peace and tolerance in the upcoming generation
- Religious should develop an interface technology of religion
- Legislation against hate-speech
- Start and sincere intrareligious interaction
- Christians and muslims should focus on their own religions and not
- Practice what you teach
- Lead by example
- Scholars should change method of teaching

4. RECOMMENDATIONS Improve capabilities of religious leaders
Increase cultural understanding and encourage constructive dialogue between religions
We should not popularize extremists
Develop an effective regulatory body to monitor the religious practices and proceedings of religious institutions
Build a culture of peace and tolerance in the upcoming generation
Implement legislation against hate-speech
Start sincere intra-religious interaction

5. RECOMMENDATIONS
Eliminate the use of outdoor speakers in religious institutions that infringe on the neighborhood’s peace
Early warning, monitoring and response systems for religious leaders to condemn violence publicly
Revive instrument of approval of religious schools
CRK and IRK teachers in schools need capacity building
Establish more faith-based organizations in social services

6. RECOMMENDATIONS
Religious leaders should not manipulate religion for personal gains
Develop an effective regulatory body to monitor the religious practices and proceedings of religious institutions
Government should respond to conspiracy theories
Separate religious leaders from traditional leaders. Should not be the same office
Both Christian and Muslim religious leaders should instantly and clearly condemn any acts of violence

7. RECOMMENDATIONS
Religious leaders should be honest enough to admit ills of their members
Balanced reporting from the media outside the country as to the perceived problem in the region
Eliminate the use of outdoor speakers in religious institutions that infringe on the neighborhood’s peace
Implement specific frameworks and programs to deal with youth, especially Almajiri

8. RECOMMENDATIONS
Good governance focused on social justice at all levels would reduce numerous problems.
Need a better understanding of our problems
Need more religious freedom, tolerance and understanding in all religious faiths
Both Christian and Muslim religious leaders must condemn the violence rapidly and loudly
Political leaders must condemn Boko Haram and the violence

9. RECOMMENDATIONS
Institutions and religious leaders should focus on positive encounters between religions
Religious leaders should abide strictly to teachings of scriptures
Religious leaders and media should convene conference to discuss current security situation and establish action plans
Religious leaders should be more motivational when preaching

10. RECOMMENDATIONS
Empowering caregivers of vulnerable children to ensure healthy growth and education
Nigeria should become and show the world that religion is important and how religions can best interact and work together
Establish a common understanding of what Boko Haram is and their aim. Without it we cannot contain it
Teach people to demonstrate against violence

11. RECOMMENDATIONS
Media should not give airtime to religious leaders that preach violence
Learn from other parts of Africa on how peace can be built and maintained
Policy on dealing with internally displaced persons
Religious leaders should promote desegregation committees
Promote social welfare amongst religious bodies

12. RECOMMENDATIONS
Organize more forums in order parts of Nigeria to discuss peace-building
Annual international conference for peace and development
Build conciliation and consensus as a guidance
Practice what you teach and preach
Religious leaders should lead by example 
Scholars should change method of teaching